Jamaica is far more than an island of white-sand beaches, world-famous coffee and the rhythms of Reggae. Rising from the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, this mountainous island is one of the region’s great biodiversity hotspots, supporting an extraordinary concentration of endemic wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.

Our six-day Jamaica: Island Endemics tour is designed to showcase the very best of the island’s birdlife, with a realistic opportunity of recording all 28 endemic bird species, alongside a wealth of Greater Antillean specialities and overwintering North American migrants. From the mist-draped forests of the Blue Mountains to the lush slopes of the John Crow Mountains and the rugged coastline of the north-east, we will explore a remarkable variety of habitats in search of some of the Caribbean’s most sought-after birds.

Highlights include the dazzling Red-billed and Black-billed Streamertails, the enchanting Jamaican Tody, the elusive Crested Quail-Dove, Jamaican Owl, Jamaican Becard, Jamaican Mango and the threatened Jamaican Blackbird. Combined with comfortable travel, spectacular scenery and excellent birding throughout, Jamaica offers one of the most rewarding endemic bird experiences in the Americas.

This tour only operates as an extension to our scheduled tours. Please contact our tailormade tours department to further information and costs as a standalone option.

Tour Facts

Top Birds

Ring-tailed Pigeon; Crested Quail-Dove; Yellow-billed & Black-billed Amazons; Chestnut-bellied & Jamaican Lizard Cuckoos; Jamaican Owl; Jamaican Mango; Red-billed & Black-billed Streamertails; Jamaican Tody; Jamaican Woodpecker; Blue Mountains & Jamaican Elaenias; Jamaican Pewee; Jamaican Becard; Jamaican & Blue Mountain Vireos; Jamaican Crow; Jamaican Euphonia; Jamaican Oriole; Jamaican Blackbird; Orangequit; Jamaican Spindalis.

Habitats Covered

Forests, woodlands, swamps, shoreline

Expected Climate

Warm to hot and humid

Max Group Size

10 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

UNDEMANDING: This tour is ideal for birders and wildlife enthusiasts of all experience levels. It’s suitable for most mobility levels and offers a relaxed pace, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Undemanding. Suitable for all birding / wildlife interest levels and mobility capabilities. Our Relaxed series of tours are designed to focus on having an enjoyable holiday with a bird and wildlife focus. Where possible; we have reduced or removed long drives, single night stays and poor/rustic accommodation. We have also sought to reduce or remove difficult hikes, narrow/muddy trails and otherwise oppressive environmental conditions. Early starts and night birding are mostly optional, and we will not spend much time searching for difficult and/or skulking species. These tours are not suitable for hardcore birders and listers, or dedicated photographers.

Accommodation

Very comfortable.

Ease of Birding

Undemanding. Most target species provide good viewing opportunities, often from roadsides, gardens and forest edges, with relatively little time spent searching for difficult or highly skulking specie

Number of Species Expected

110

Other Attractions

Great scenery & beaches, friendly people, good food, laid back culture

Photographic Opportunities

Good to very good. Many species can be photographed from roadsides, gardens and feeding areas. No dedicated hides are utilised.

What our clients say about us

TE - Jamaica 2019

Our Rockjumper guide, Adam Walleyn, was excellent. A strong birder and patient man, he worked hard to make sure that all participants saw and photographed the birds well. Adam was able to engage positively with a diverse and intense group. I liked him very much.

PB, Jamaica - Island Endemics II 2025

Bobby was an excellent tour leader, handling all the personalities and logistical quirks with good humor and ease. The local tour guides were also excellent and really knew where to find the birds, as well as sharing local culture and traditions. I was impressed that we saw all of them. Appreciating that Jamaica is still recovering from the hurricane, I appreciate all that everyone did to make us feel welcome. I would say though that the food situation was very challenging, timing and options. I honestly was expecting lots of fresh, delicious island food and instead we struggled often with veggie/pescatarian options tas well as service and timing. The Four Seasons Hotel in Kingston in particular struggled with timely food service. But I was very thankful to have gone on the tour and appreciated Bobby a lot!

JH, Jamaica - Island Endemics II 2025

Bobby Wilcox is a superb birding tour guide. He is knowledgeable and level headed. I don’t recall one instance where he visibly lost his temper. I would not hesitate to tour with him again.

KB, Jamaica 2023

Lev Frid is an excellent leader. With his keen ears and eyes, no bird on our Jamaica tour went undetected or unidentified, and with his judicious use of tapes and a laser pointer, the entire group got to see each bird, too. Lev is also able to answer almost any question.about any bird anywhere in the world, and is very enjoyable company. I plan to travel with him again.

LA, Jamaica - Island Endemics I 2026

Good trip. All guides were excellent. Other participants were great.

Jamaica - Island Endemics (Relaxed) I 2027

Jamaica - Island Endemics (Relaxed) II 2027

Jamaica - Island Endemics (Relaxed) I 2028

Jamaica - Island Endemics (Relaxed) II 2028

Jamaica - Island Endemics (Relaxed) I 2029

Jamaica - Island Endemics (Relaxed) II 2029